THE MARVEL OF PERU TRIBE. 137 



the base {jig. 1. a.) into a roundish fleshy hall ; 

 secondly, of five stamens of unequal lengths, arising 

 from helow the ovary {fig- 3. a.), round which they 

 form a fleshy cup, and then adhering to the sides of 

 the calyx ; so that they are actually perigynous and 

 h\'pogynous at the same time. 



The ovary {fig. 4. c.) is a superior body, containing 

 a single ovule, which grows fi'om the bottom of the 

 cavity; it is terminated by a long thread-shaped 

 style, which ends in a cluster of little round warts 

 {fig. 3. h.), forming a stigma. Thus far the structure 

 is as simple as that of the Amaranth and Protea 

 tribes ; nor will it be found more complex in the 

 fruit. 



As soon as the flower begins to fade, the roundish 

 fleshy ball at the bottom of the calyx, swells and 

 grows harder, contracting at the top, and in time 

 throwing off* the thin and coloured part. At last it 

 acquires a woody texture, shrivels round the veins, 

 and becomes an oblong bro^vTi nut {fig. 6.), with a 

 little hole at its point (a.), where the upper coloured 

 part of the calyx fell off". Upon opening it, you will 

 .find the fruit, with a very thin shell, and the remains 

 of the style at the top {fig. 7- ^0 Within it lies a 

 single seed ha\dng an embryo {fig. 7- «• ^0' I'olled 

 round a quantity of mealy substance, w^hich is the 

 albumen (c/.). 



Such is the character of the natural order that 

 contains the Marvel of Peru, which is by far the most 

 handsome genus it comprehends. Generally, the 

 order consists of obscure weeds, which are rarely 



